Swing arm internals

sailed2japan · Sat 11, Jun 2011, 18:55:58

Ok, if you've red the "Big Rear Tire" thread you know I'm out to modify a swing arm to fit a 240 tire. Now, I'd hate to cut one open and find that the drive shaft inside is to fat to allow me to relieve it for this purpose, so:

What is the diameter of the shaft itself?

Any clue as the the thickness of the drive shaft housing wall?

The internal diameter of the driveshaft housing?

MacDragon · Sat 11, Jun 2011, 19:57:11

Buy a cheap one from Pinwall or e-bay and cut into it.

Here's one for under $40.00 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500-1500-SWING-ARM-SWINGARM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5c33cdd2QQitemZ190525459922QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

X Ring · Sat 11, Jun 2011, 20:55:26

Quote from: MacDragon on Sat 11, Jun 2011, 19:57:11
Buy a cheap one from Pinwall or e-bay and cut into it.

Here's one for under $40.00 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500-1500-SWING-ARM-SWINGARM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5c33cdd2QQitemZ190525459922QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

They've got a bunch at that price.

Marty

dwreefs · Sat 11, Jun 2011, 21:31:51

I have a small UT machine for checking pipe wall thickness . I will find out what the tube wall thickness is later . Might even be able to x-ray the tube to see how much clearance is inside, but that will take a few days

Okay curiosity was killing me so I went out and measured and the swingarm tube wall is 3mm(.118 in)
The stiffeners that are welded onto the swingarm tube are 2 mm (.080 in )

It looks like you could grind of the stiffeners to get an extra 2mm on that side but you would have to weld something else on it to add reinforcement in another area. If you have to take off some of the swingarm tube I may be able to get that x-ray of the swingarm tube to get an estimate of the clearance inside

sailed2japan · Tue 21, Jun 2011, 20:46:46

what I was looking at doing is making the same amount of clearence on the drive shaft side as on the other side. I would like to maintain about 1/4" clearence inside the tube, though. Maybe I could go down to 1/8"? Opinions?

Sonny · Wed 22, Jun 2011, 22:25:48

Sailed2japan, Are you changing the rear wheel also?

sailed2japan · Thu 23, Jun 2011, 20:59:14

That's what the plans is. I'm trying to fit a 240/250 tire back there. there's a company mentioned on here that will custom widen your rear wheel and another that is making custom valkyrie wheels, finally. I'd like to get the possibility of this figured out so i can get wheels before they stop making them again.

sailed2japan · Wed 29, Jun 2011, 09:59:15

Does any one have a driveshaft out that they could measure for me? I need to know it's diameter.

BigEagle · Tue 05, Jul 2011, 13:44:00

What "big rear tire" thread? Did a search and couldn't find it.

RDKLL · Sun 17, Jul 2011, 04:52:28

Quote from: sailed2japan on Wed 29, Jun 2011, 09:59:15
Does any one have a driveshaft out that they could measure for me? I need to know it's diameter.

I emaild a seller for this info and this is what I got back:

Starting from the long end 22mm, tapers to 15mm, 16mm in the middle, 15mm tapers to 17mm, then tapers to 25mm on the short end.

Not the best discription....I am assumeing that the "long end" refers to the end with the spring.....
and if Im remembering correctly the area where it is 15mm and 16mm is pretty close to where it would pass the widest part of the tyre
I want the 240 or 250 on the rear and the 180 on the front.....Kosman can add with and diameter....

RDKLL · Mon 18, Jul 2011, 07:30:53

Here is a pic of a driveshaft with measurements

It looks like the area we are most concerned with is the 15-16-15 mm in the middle....I dont have any ide of the shaft is situated in the middle of the swingarm tube....

BigEagle · Wed 20, Jul 2011, 00:56:22

What's the little 16mm raised area in the middle of the shaft for?

BigEagle · Wed 20, Jul 2011, 01:08:17

"Kosman can add with and diameter...."

I understand the width, but why do we need to add diameter?
Also, what's Kosman's price?

RDKLL · Wed 20, Jul 2011, 04:51:20

Quote from: BigEagle on Wed 20, Jul 2011, 01:08:17
"Kosman can add with and diameter...."
I understand the width, but why do we need to add diameter?
Also, what's Kosman's price?

If you wanted to use factory wheels, they can go from 16" to 17" or 18"....as to the prices, I have an email in to them....I saw somewhere it was like $375 a wheel but no reply from my email yet.

BigEagle · Wed 20, Jul 2011, 11:14:04

Quote from: RDKLL on Wed 20, Jul 2011, 04:51:20
Quote from: BigEagle on Wed 20, Jul 2011, 01:08:17
"Kosman can add with and diameter...."
I understand the width, but why do we need to add diameter?
Also, what's Kosman's price?

If you wanted to use factory wheels, they can go from 16" to 17" or 18"....as to the prices, I have an email in to them....I saw somewhere it was like $375 a wheel but no reply from my email yet.

Maybe they would be more inclined to act on it if they knew there's gonna be more than just one order. I'm in for sure as soon as this swingarm issue is figured out. It'd be nice if we could get our stock rear wheel widened with no offset.

BigEagle · Thu 21, Jul 2011, 10:54:56

Here's the German guy's works. Very nice, but offset.

BigEagle · Thu 21, Jul 2011, 11:11:09

If all else fails, there's always this...

225/55-16

The 225/55-16 is on the Rocket to the left.

The largest tire I had on my bike was a Toyo 205/65-16. I'm riding a 205/60-16 TripleTread now.

If I were to go darkside again, I'd go 225/55-16.
First choice, BFG G-Force TA 225/55-16

Second choice, Bridgestone Potenza RE960 226/55-16

Third choice, Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus 225/55-16

RDKLL · Fri 22, Jul 2011, 04:27:36

Quote from: RDKLL on Wed 20, Jul 2011, 04:51:20
Quote from: BigEagle on Wed 20, Jul 2011, 01:08:17
"Kosman can add with and diameter...."
I understand the width, but why do we need to add diameter?
Also, what's Kosman's price?

If you wanted to use factory wheels, they can go from 16" to 17" or 18"....as to the prices, I have an email in to them....I saw somewhere it was like $375 a wheel but no reply from my email yet.

I must have been reading an old article or something....just got and email back...$695 +$150 to remove the weld, which he highly recommends if you are planning to ppaint, powder coat or chrome....

sailed2japan · Fri 22, Jul 2011, 17:59:04

So for $845 you can have a stock appearing front or spend about $2000 on a set of aftermarkets. I would assume that the drive shaft would ride centered in the tube. Have you gotten to look at the inside diameter of the tube yet? I haven't gotten an exact measurement on the O.D. but it seems to be about 3". If that accurate then with 1/8" clearence and a 1/8" thick piece of metal on the inside it would leave you with a total of 1" including what's already there.

BigEagle · Sat 23, Jul 2011, 02:35:58

As far as I know, there are no aftermarket wheels being made for our Valkyries. A while back the last ones being made were from Bikers Image, but I'm not aware of anyone actually getting a set. It'd be a good thing if I was wrong here, so feel free to chime up.

RDKLL · Sat 23, Jul 2011, 07:59:10

Quote from: sailed2japan on Fri 22, Jul 2011, 17:59:04
I would assume that the drive shaft would ride centered in the tube. Have you gotten to look at the inside diameter of the tube yet? I haven't gotten an exact measurement on the O.D. but it seems to be about 3". If that accurate then with 1/8" clearence and a 1/8" thick piece of metal on the inside it would leave you with a total of 1" including what's already there.

The swingarm and axle were delivered on Wed......to our old house in AL (forgot to change my address on ebay)

Quote from: BigEagle on Sat 23, Jul 2011, 02:35:58
As far as I know, there are no aftermarket wheels being made for our Valkyries. A while back the last ones being made were from Bikers Image, but I'm not aware of anyone actually getting a set. It'd be a good thing if I was wrong here, so feel free to chime up.

Im going to a local shop, Rullo Custom Cycle, he has a mail order side and Im going to go over and see what the after market has to offer for custom wheels for the Valkyrie......

BigEagle · Sat 23, Jul 2011, 12:53:39

Good luck. If my memory serves me correctly (which it often does NOT) there was a thread here on aftermarket wheels awhile ago and at that time as far as anyone knew Bikers Image was the last place on Earth a wheel could be had for the Valkyrie, but... they only took special orders for it. It wasn't even mentioned on their website. Could be there are others out there that would do the same, but more than likely you'd have to talk to them on the phone. Personally, I think the stock wheel polished up with the inside painted black looks awesome. I wouldn't hesitate to drop $900 to get the rear widened to fit a fatty, provided it all fit under my fender (centered... no offset).

sailed2japan · Thu 28, Jul 2011, 22:07:58

From an e-mail back from Wesley at Bikers Image:
Manufacturer: BikersImage
Model: Honda Valkyrie
Year: 2003
Finish Preference: Chrome
Style: Duece 5/Smoothy
Front Wheel Size: 21x3.5...................1050.00
Rear Wheel Size: 18x5.5.....................1150.00
6 weeks for delivery, and he is looking into doing a 18x8.5 for us!

RDKLL · Sat 30, Jul 2011, 04:37:39

Good deal on finding the after market. I would rather go old school with a widened factory wheel. Im not sure what Im going to do....my swing arm and axle were sent to our old place in AL and our realtor was going to pick them up and get them back in the mail to me.

And for the front tyre....I know folks put rears on the front, been doing that for years........with the 240 on the back 200 reversed on the front.....

Trying to find money to do that...my Mustang is at my buddy's place in Grayling (less than an hour from InZane

).......trying to find the money for a modest stroker recipe for ≈ 400hp at the wheels.........patience grasshopper (thats Andrea talking to me)

BigEagle · Sun 31, Jul 2011, 12:46:30

Yah, it's good to know Bikers Image still offers (a promise of) a choice of aftermarket wheels for us, but as I said before, I have yet to see anyone actually getting any. I wish someone would pipe up and show us a picture or two of their nice chromed custom Bikers Image wheels.

Mr Steve · Sun 31, Jul 2011, 13:22:52

Quote from: BigEagle on Sun 31, Jul 2011, 12:46:30
Yah, it's good to know Bikers Image still offers (a promise of) a choice of aftermarket wheels for us, but as I said before, I have yet to see anyone actually getting any. I wish someone would pipe up and show us a picture or two of their nice chromed custom Bikers Image wheels.

I tried and got nowhere, although tried, in this case, means I sent an e-mail that did not get answered and gave up figuring if they did really make them, somebody would have posted about their fresh set. So I ended up purchasing two brand new Honda polished wheels. It was a pretty cheap option compared to this grand a wheel.

BigEagle · Mon 01, Aug 2011, 11:04:39

Yah, same here. Emailed them with no response about a year ago. Nothing Valkyrie on their website, so I figured it was a dead end. Then someone here said they talked to the guy on the phone about a year or so back and there was some hopeful talk, as far as I know that's where it ended. It'd be cool to actually see some wheels. So far it's all talk.

dago mooserider · Mon 01, Aug 2011, 19:14:13

I also hit them up with an e-mail about 6 months back. I did get a response. He simply said "yes, I have them." And quoted me a price, which is plenty. I was all set to go for it, but ended up allocating most of the money to mark T to pimp my exhaust. And now I'm hoping for a wider wheel along with the afore mentioned modded swing arm.

BigEagle · Thu 04, Aug 2011, 13:27:15

Me too. I figured it would be a while before we saw any progress with this swingarm so I ordered the works From Mark... 5" slash cut, crossfire, organ tips. Should only take about an hour or so to swap everything out, so no down time. The swingarm - wheel widening is more of a winter project anyway. It'll be number one on my Christmas list.

RDKLL · Sun 07, Aug 2011, 06:09:48

Well....I got my swing are and axle. I have to say when it it laying on the living room floor, it looks huge.

What Im thinking is to have material removed by some method that does not distort the swingarm, I dont know the process..........
Then mount the new swingarm with the final drive to see the location of the drive shaft in relation to the wall of the swingarm........

How difficult is removing the swingarm? I know that its basically just 2 fasteners.....but.....

Anyway.....have a great day

ValkFlyer · Sun 07, Aug 2011, 06:42:33

Quote from: RDKLL on Sun 07, Aug 2011, 06:09:48
Well....I got my swing are and axle. I have to say when it it laying on the living room floor, it looks huge.

What Im thinking is to have material removed by some method that does not distort the swingarm, I dont know the process..........
Then mount the new swingarm with the final drive to see the location of the drive shaft in relation to the wall of the swingarm........

How difficult is removing the swingarm? I know that its basically just 2 fasteners.....but.....

Anyway.....have a great day

After removing the wheel, shocks, brake assembly, and undoing and lifting the brake line from the arm a special honda tool is needed for the nuts on either side located behind the right and left caps. Once you've removed the nuts there's bolts on either side which support the bearings, pull those and the arm comes right out. Easier of course if you pull the pumpkin with the shaft also. (less weight to deal with).

When installing be sure to check your bearings, re-pack and torq to spec. Keep the arm in the horizontal position or you won't be able to get it in.

RDKLL · Sun 07, Aug 2011, 12:07:55

This is not a very good picture, but you can see a flat area that is the area that would need to be clearanced........How much can you tighten it up......what would be the minimum space between the drive shaft and the wall of the swing arm.......it get curiouser and curiouser

sailed2japan · Mon 15, Aug 2011, 18:30:23

I would say the abolute minimum would be 1/8" i don't think there will be any side deflection from the movement of the suspension, but maybe a little from torque. The way I see it is most cv axles in cars are about the same size as a cv shaft in a car, so it shouldn't deflect much.

sailed2japan · Mon 15, Aug 2011, 18:32:34

In other news: I just got word from bikers image and a 18x8.5 wheel will run $1300! We really need to get a swing arm figured out!

Grumpy · Tue 16, Aug 2011, 17:38:56

Some thing that bears looking at, there is a Valkyrie on Ebay that has a single sided swing arm from a goldwing on it, also has a very fat rear tire mounted on it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-Honda-Valkyrie-Custom-GL-1500-Swingarm-/120763131411?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item1c1e0b2613

sailed2japan · Fri 19, Aug 2011, 19:18:07

Is the single sided swing arm from a gl1500 or gl1800? I don't know them well enough to tell.

Kingbee · Fri 19, Aug 2011, 19:56:33

The 1500 Wing wasn't single sided. IT kinda' looks like it could be from a Rune, or an 1800 Wing unit with Rune trim on it.

RDKLL · Sun 21, Aug 2011, 05:26:47

I think JeffK put a GW 1800 single side swing arm on his.....do not remember the process or the level of difficulty....maybe he will chime in to let us know......

tmfp · Mon 28, Nov 2011, 14:28:21

Anything happening here, guys? I'm chomping at the bit (horsey expression)

Could someone with access to a GL1800 and a Valk please do some comparative measuring up of the swingarm please? Maybe a photo or two of the bracket/monoshock set up

That single sided arm is beautiful, although I believe the stock rear rim is only 5"

At the moment I'm looking at a 1.5 inch extended rear using a pre 97 wing drive shaft as here http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=35603.new;topicseen#new in a remade swing arm (I hate box section). With regard to tyre/flat area clearance, for the small area involved, a rectangle could be cut out of the swingarm and replaced with 1mm thick 'tin' to keep the dirt out and just clear the shaft, without threatening the structural integrity thereof.
I thought of using a Rocket 3 rear wheel, which is 7.5" wide (240 tyre), but it would have to run backwards as the Triumph drive is on the left. They aren't too dear used, triking does have some advantages.

The design of the wheel is not dissimilar to a stock Valk, but I don't know if it would irritate me with the pattern running "backwards"

It's just me, but although I am happy chopping and welding frames, changing forks etc. on my bikes, the idea of a wheel widened by welding leaves me uncomfortable.
Here's that "Big Wheel" thread http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13323.0.html] [url]http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13323.0.html [/url]

Chrisj CMA · Mon 28, Nov 2011, 15:27:24

This is a shot looking down the swing arm. That little thing in the center with a hole in it is the U-joint looking at you ready to accept the drive shaft. I know sizes are hard to imagine here but for comparrison...the srive shaft is only as thick as the hole in the center of that thing looking at you in the midde of the opening

News:

Swing arm internals